Impact Wrestling opens up this week with the footage of the Aces & Eights reveal last week and subsequent beatdown.

Footage of what went down after the show reveals Bully Ray holding Hulk Hogan’s hand as referee’s and other wrestlers help him up and Brooke looks on. Ray is then helped to the back as well.

Todd Keneley & Mike Tenay are at the announce table minus Taz as they discuss what happened. Tenay says that he’s never been more shocked than he was last week and that this week Taz will be speaking out.

Aces & Eights are shown in the parking lot with their bikes and celebrating pulling one over on TNA.

After the Impact intro Aces & Eights make their way out to the ring being lead by Taz. Taz has a “nomad” patch much like Devon’s. Taz says that everyone has been asking him all week “why” he did what he did and why he is with Aces & Eights. He says that life is about opportunity and asks how he could pass up on the opportunity to become part of this “machine.” He asks (rhetorically) how he could pass up a chance to join a group who’s agenda is revenge and redemption and how could he pass on following the lead of a “higher power.” He mocks Brooke Hogan and Bully Ray and says all the wedding was an opportunity for Aces & Eights to stand on their face and make their presence known at a higher level. He says that Bully Ray was “just another victim.” Taz mentions his contract that he signed with TNA and he says that Dixie Carter and Hulk Hogan may what to look at that language in the contract because he’s “freakin’ bulletproof” and if anybody puts their hand on him he will “own this freakin’ place.” He calls himself “Teflon Taz” because of this and he says that Aces & Eights are driven to run over TNA and they will do it and they have to deal with the “path of rage” standing behind him. He says that Brooke & Bully were just “collateral damage” and wishes TNA good luck with having to deal with “these guys and the higher power.”

In the back Jesse pumps Tara for her match with Velvet Sky tonight. He holds a Velvet Sky action figure as he tries to motivate her saying that Velvet is “tiny and plastic.”

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A video package hyping up Christopher Daniels airs highlighting his career with highlights from his very early days in TNA’s beginnings until now.

Daniels and Kaz are then shown backstage as Daniels prepares for his match. Kaz reminds us that he is a “licensed manager” so TNA can’t keep Kaz from ringside for this one. Daniels says this is a “turning point and a milestone” for TNA because TNA needs him. He says, “I’m a feature, not a creature…I make the girls day everytime these hips sway, and I’m mere moments away…from taking my place at the table.” Is Daniels gold or what?

Taz is now at the announce table and he is in full blown heel mode bullying Todd and being condescending towards Tenay.

TNA Knockouts Championship Tara (c) w/Jesse vs. Velvet Sky

Velvet Sky has reverted back to her usual ring gear tonight rather than the cat suit she’s been wearing since her return. Taz didn’t even play up Velvet’s entrance refusing to do his usual “Let the pigeons loose” line. Taz says that Tara & Jesse are his favorite couple in TNA next to Tenay & Todd. Velvet immediately rolls Tara up as she was playing to the crowd and gets an early nearfall. Velvet then gets Tara in a wristlock and transitions into a hammerlock and then a side headlock and finally another rollup! 1…2…NO Tara kicks out and then Velvet gets her in another side headlock. Tara shoves her into the ropes and hits a Shoulder Block and hits the ropes but Velvet catches her with a Japanese Armdrag followed by a series of clotheslines. Velvet then hits a Russian Leg Sweep but Tara quickly rolls out to the floor to get away from Velvet. Velvet drags Tara back in the ring by her hair and then kicks her in the back followed by a Basement Dropkick. Velvet kicks Tara sending her out to the floor before we go to a break.

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Back from the break Velvet attempts to whip Tara into the corner but Tara reverses it and charges at Velvet. Velvet lifts herself up and hooks Tara in a Head Scissors and then connects with a series of kicks to the head. Velvet climbs up top and dives off with a Flying Cross Body for a nearfall! Velvet chops away from Tara and then slams her into the turnbuckles with a series of shoulder blocks and kicks. Velvet whips her into the opposite corner and then attempts a Monkey Flip, but Tara blocks it and covers Velvet for a nearfall. Tara slams Velvet’s head into the mat and then a Snap Suplex for another nearfall. Tara follows up with the Standing Moonsault and gets yet another nearfall. Tara locks in a chinlock but Velvet fights her way up to her feet only to get slammed back down to the mat by Tara. Tara then tosses Velvet across the ring by her hair and then climbs up top, but Velvet gets up and tosses her off with a Press Slam! Velvet and Tara exchange strikes on their knees and then as they get to their feet. Velvet whips Tara into the ropes and connects with a series of clotheslines and then a Spinning Headscissors Takeover! Velvet then hits a Rolling Facebuster but Jesse gets on the apron to distract Taryn Terrell from making the pin. Velvet argues with Jesse as well and then Tara goes to hit Velvet but she moves and Tara hits Jesse! Velvet rolls Tara up, 1…2…NO Tara kicks out again! Velvet goes for a Suplex but Jesse grabs her foot from the outside and trips her with Tara landing on top of her! Jesse then grabs Velvet’s foot to hold her down from kicking out as Terrell makes the 3 count to give Tara the win!

Winner & STILL Knockouts Champ: Tara via pinfall

A video package hypes up Open Fight Night for next week from the UK!

In the back Sting doesn’t feel like talking about what went down last week.

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In the back Kenny King is talking to himself in the mirror when Zema Ion walks in and asks if he is really talking to the mirror. King tells “Goku” not to worry about that (nerds around the world rejoice at that reference). King reminds Ion that RVD beat him for the X-Division Title but then says tonight is about looking good and he looks good enough for both of them so all Ion has to do is sit on the apron and let King do all the heavy lifting. King leaves and Ion starts talking into the mirror this time and says he’ll show King about looking good.

Joseph Park makes his way down to the ring and says that he’s been competing in sports since the 3rd grade but being here has made him realize one thing and that’s that his place isn’t in a court room but inside the ring. He says that he realizes his debut match didn’t go like he hoped but he fought hard. He says that not getting “the W as the boys call it” made him realize that he wants to be the best he can be in TNA and next week in England at OFN he’s ready. Park holds up his passport and says that he’ll be in England and he will be competing in his very first Open Fight Night. He says that leaves the question of who he should challenge as his opponent and he doesn’t want to “kayfab” (not kayfabe) everyone but he’s going to watch video of every wrestler in TNA and make his pick based off that. He says next week the whole world will witness the Impact TV debut of Joseph Park and in that ring he’s going to hold his “court” and he’s going to get that W.

RVD and Ion will kick this one off. They lockup and Zema gets RVD in a side headlock but RVD shoves him into the ropes and goes for a backdrop, but Zema stops and kicks RVD. Zema then goes for a clothesline but RVD ducks and attempts a Spin Kick. Zema avoids it and then connects with a knee. Zema bounces off the ropes but RVD lifts Zema high up into the air and right into a dropkick in midair in a nasty spot! RVD then tags York and holds Zema and slams him his head into York’s foot. York points at King and then whips Zema into the ropes and connects with a Running Knee followed by a Basement Dropkick! York tags RVD back in and then tosses Zema into the corner. RVD hits a Rolling Monkey Flip sending Zema clear across the ring! RVD hits a Sliding Dropkick and then whips him into the ropes but Zema slides out to the floor to get away from Van Dam’s onslaught. RVD immediately sets up for a dive but King grabs him from behind and slams him to the mat. Zema slides back in and connects with a Flying Knee to the back of RVD! King tags in and hits a Slingshot Axe Handle Drop followed by a Snap Suplex. King floats over into a mount and slams his fist down on RVD repeatedly followed by a nearfall. Zema tags back in and kicks RVD repeatedly followed by an elbow to the back. Zema knocks York off the apron and then pokes RVD in the eyes. Zema whips RVD hard into the corner and then climbs up top and dives off with a 450 Splash! RVD moves out of the way and then reaches for a tag but Zema grabs his foot! RVD goes for an Enziguri with the free leg but Zema ducks only to eat a Leaping Back Kick from RVD! RVD and Zema both tag out! York clotheslines King and then connects with a Reverse Snapmare sending King into the corner! York hits a running clothesline and then bounces off the ropes but King kicks him and then hits the ropes only to eat a Flying Knee from York! 1…2…NO Zema breaks it up! RVD comes in and kicks Zema and then walks into a boot from Zema. King hits a Jawbreaker on York and then bounces off the ropes but York clotheslines him as he hits the ropes sending King crashing over the top to the floor! York sets up for a dive but King trips him and drags him out to the floor where he slams York’s head into the apron! In the ring RVD hits a Front Slam on Zema and then sets up for the Split Legged Moonsault but King quickly comes in crotches RVD on the top rope! King then climbs up with RVD and sets up for a Superplex but RVD catches him with a big elbow that knocks King off the top. Zema then knocks RVD off the top sending him crashing into the guardrail at ringside! Zema climbs up top but York comes out of nowhere with a Leaping Enziguri to the head knocking Zema off the top! King runs over for a German Suplex but York reverses it. King reaches for the ropes and then ducks allowing Zema to punch York! Zema blind tags himself in as King slams York’s throat down across the top rope, and then Zema goes for the Slingshot Tornado DDT off the ropes but York blocks it sending Zema across the ring (the sound Zema made as York blocked it was priceless). King comes from out of nowhere with a Springboard Blockbuster on York and Zema covers him! 1…2…3!

Winners: King & Zema via pinfall (Springboard Blockbuster)

As King & Zema argue about the finish Taz gets a phone call and he leaves the announce booth.

Bully Ray & Brooke ar shown arriving to the arena and they aren’t in the mood to talk much like Sting. Ray says he’ll do his talking in the ring and to get the camera out of his face.

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Backstage Garett Bischoff & Wes Brisco approach Samoa Joe and he says their concern is “adorable” but he’s not going to let them “ride his jock” like Kurt does. Garett says Joe is the only one that’s able to get a hold of Kurt and they just want to know how he’s doing. Angle walks in behind them and Joe tells them to ask him themselves. Kurt says he’s not 100% but he knows what he has to do and the whole world will find out what that is. Joe says they’ll talk later and then gives Garett & Wes the evil eye before walking out. He tells Garett & Wes he’s ready to kick some ass and they tell him that they’ve got his back.

A video package highlighting the Brooke & Bully drama is shown.

Bully Ray & Brooke walk out and Bully comes to the announce table as Tenay says it’s “quite a coincidence” that Taz claims to get a phone call right before Ray comes out. Ray is pissed and screams about Taz not being there. Bully says that last week should have been the greatest night in he and Brooke’s lives but it turned into a nightmare, and a lot of people were hurt. He says that he expected this from Devon but he never expected this from Taz. He calls Taz a “freakin’ coward” and he doesn’t care that he got hurt but it’s the people around him that got hurt. Ray says the only man that has trusted him for the last few months, Sting, got hurt in the process and the man that he has been trying to get to trust him, Hogan, was also hurt. He says most of all that the one they hurt the most was the woman he loves and he says that the things he will do to Devon & Taz and every member in Aces & Eights he can’t even talk about on TV. He says every single one of them better sleep with one eye open and tells them to look into his eyes and he says that he will not guarantee one wink until he kicks every single one of their asses. He says he can’t do any of that unless Hulk Hogan lifts his suspension and he knows that he isn’t here tonight but he needs him to reinstate him so he can kick Aces & Eights asses.

Sting’s music hits and the Icon makes his way down to the ring as well. Sting says everyone knows that Hulk Hogan doesn’t do anything halfway and he knows that Hulk is watching right now. He says that Hulk has only come halfway by walking Brooke down for her wedding and it’s time for him to go all the way by lifting Bully’s suspension. Sting says that he believes Hulk will announce to the world that Bully will be reinstated and Bully is going to be there for it.

The back and forth between Roode & Aries and the Tag Champs from last week is shown. In the back Aries & Roode talk about what happened. Aries says that they both know that either one of them could take out Chavo or Hernandez anytime, but tonight they have to start by figuring out who is going to take on Hernandez tonight. Roode says it’s a no brainer and with Aries’ speed & agility it should be Aries-Hernandez. Aries says he can’t disagree with him because he’s the most agile and explosive wrestler today but Hernandez is a power go and Roode can match his strength and Hernandez can’t hold a candle to his wrestling skills. Aries reminds Roode that he is the longest reigning World Champion in TNA ever, but Roode reminds HIM that Aries is the one that beat him. Aries says he beat him twice but Roode himself said it was a fluke and he might not agree with that but he could possibly see that there was a “small sliver of fluktitude there.” My god, these two are absolutely gold together. Roode says “A FLUKE! I KNEW IT! YOU FINALLY ADMIT!” and Aries says so that settles it and Roode will face Hernandez tonight. Aries says he’ll be the clean up guy against Chavo but Roode says if he’s the power guy then he needs to be the clean up but Aries has already walked away.

----COMMERCIAL BREAK----

A video package highlighting Jeff Hardy is shown focusing on his “redemption” over the last year plus in TNA.

Backstage Jeff Hardy talks about Daniels’ attack on him last week. He tells Daniels to make the best of his opportunity and try to rid him of the World Title, but Hardy says he will see Daniels every step of the way. He says that he knows who Daniels is and tonight he will show the rest of the world who he isn’t.

A little bit of Beer Money vs. L.A.X. rekindled here as Taz has made his way back to the announce table now. Roode & Hernandez lockup but Hernandez tosses Roode easily into the corner and stares him down. This time Roode ducks the lockup and punches Hernandez in the back repeatedly and then puts the boots to him in the corner. Roode attempts to whip Mex into the opposite corner but he reverses it and then lifts Roode WAY up into the lights with a backdrop. Hernandez lifts Roode up in the Delayed Vertical Suplex! Roode rolls out to the apron and as Hernandez reaches out to pull him back in Roode pokes him in the eyes and then slams his jaw across the top rope. Roode hits a Hangman’s Neckbreaker for a nearfall and then kicks Mex in the back. Roode tosses Hernandez into the corner and catches him with a Shoulder Block in the corner followed by a Snapmare Takeover and then a Rolling Neck Snap. Roode rakes Hernandez’s back but Mex kicks him away and then bounces off the ropes only to run into a back elbow for another nearfall. Roode hits a series of Elbow Drop’s and then a Knee Drop for another nearfall. Roode puts Hernandez in a chinlock but Mex fights up to his feet with Roode hanging on his back! Mex backs Roode into the corner and then goes for a Splash, but Roode backdrops him over the top! Hernandez lands on the apron and then hits a Shoulder Block through the ropes followed by a Slingshot Shoulder Block over the top! Hernandez hits a series of clubs and then whips Roode into the corner and hits a Splash followed by a Backbreaker over his shoulder! Hernandez whips Roode into the ropes and goes for a backdrop but Roode kicsk him and then chops him! Roode hits the ropes but Mex catches him with the Get Off Me Shoulder Block! Roode falls through the ropes and Hernandez sets up for the Super Mex Dive but Aries quickly runs out and pulls Roode away! Roode shoves Aries but Aries says he just saved his ass! Chavo runs over and attacks Aries and they start brawling around at ringside! This distracts Hernandez long enough for Roode to sneak up from behind and catch Hernandez with a Bulldog! 1…2…3!

Winner: Roode via pinfall (Running Bulldog)

Roode & Aries continue to argue after the match with Roode saying he didn’t need Aries’ help while Aries says he saved him.

In the back Angle is shown walking and he’s coming out next to address what happened to him with Aces.

----COMMERCIAL BREAK----

Footage of what happened to Angle the week after he unmasked KNOX is shown.

Angle makes his way down to the ring and he says that he thought Aces & Eights were going to be temporary but they’re obviously along for the long haul. He says that he’s sick and tired of their sneak attacks and the injuries they’ve laid on TNA wrestlers. He says that Taz talked about revenge earlier but he doesn’t know what revenge is. Angle says next week is OFN and he will get his revenge against Mr. Anderson and he wants him to come out now because he has something to tell him personally.

Anderson walks out and this time he walks out from the Aces & Eights entrance wearing an Aces & Eights patch. Anderson asks Angle if he really wants to fight him next week but he doesn’t want to fight Kurt next week. Anderson says he wants to do it now and jumps him! Angle punches Kurt repeatedly and tosses him in the corner and continues the attack! Angle clotheslines Anderson and then goes for the Ankle Lock but Anderson quickly bails out of the ring. Angle says next week he won’t be able to jump him or have someone attack him from behind because next week they will fight “one more time” inside a Steel Cage!

In the back Hardy & Daniels are getting ready for their match.

----COMMERCIAL BREAK----

In the clubhouse Anderson screams at their girls to shutup while Devon tries to calm him down. Devon says he won’t let Anderson go in the cage without a battle plan but that doesn’t seem to make Anderson feel any better.

Boxing style intros for this Main Event. They lockup and Daniels forces Hardy into the corner but he breaks the hold clean and backs away. They lockup again and this time Hardy gets him in a side headlock but Daniels shoves him into the corner and connects with a series of shoulder bocks. Daniels whips him into the opposite corner and charges but Hardy catches him with a Floatover Spinning Headscissors Takeover! Hardy then hits a clothesline and tosses Hardy into the corner. Hardy hits a Corner Splash and then follows up with an attempt at a Hardyac Arrest but Daniels counters in mid move by diving out to the floor causing Hardy to crash and burn. Daniels then tosses Hardy out to the floor and Daniels and Kaz taunt the crowd.

----COMMERCIAL BREAK----

Back from the break Daniels hits a Running Clothesline for a nearfall and then he puts the boots to Daniels. Daniels rakes his elbow across Hardy’s face and then he hits a Back Suplex. Daniels hits a Sliding Clothesline to the back of a hunched over Hardy and gets another nearfall. Daniels mounts Hardy and reigns down right hands on Hardy and then stomps on him relentlessly. Daniels headbutts Hardy and then he bows to the crowd before choking Hardy with his knee. Daniels hit’s a Reverse Bulldog for another nearfall and then locks in a chinlock on the champ. Hardy puts Daniels in a Half Nelson but Daniels fights up to his feet and breaks the hold with back elbows. Hardy attempts to bounce off the ropes but Daniels grabs him by the hair and slams him to the mat. Daniels puts the boots to Hardy and then he attempts to whip Hardy into the ropes but Hardy counters into a Shortarm Clothesline! Both men get back to their feet and exchange right hands in the center of the ring. Hardy attempts to whip Daniels into the ropes but he reverses it only to eat a Flying Forearm from Jeffrey! Hardy follows up with an Atomic Drop and then a Leg Drop to the sternum and a sliding dropkick! Hardy then hits a Leaping Mule Kick for a nearfall! Hardy attempts to whip Daniels into the corner but he reverses it and charges but Hardy catches him with a boot. Hardy then springs to the top and dives off with a Splash! 1…2…NO Daniels kicks out! Hardy attempts to whip Daniels into the corner again and again Daniels counters it. Hardy goes for the Floatover Headscissors again but this time Daniels blocks it and hits a DVD! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Daniels then immediately locks in the Koji Clutch! Hardy gets his foot on the bottom rope and Daniels starts to show some frustration at Hardy. Daniels hits a big uppercut and then he lifts Hardy up to the top rope and connects with another uppercut. Daniels climbs up with Hardy and attempts a Superplex, but Hardy blocks it and then hits a Front Superplex off the top! 1…2…NO Daniels gets his foot on the bottom rope! Now Hardy is showing some frustration at Daniels escaping the pin. Hardy attempts the Twist but Daniels blocks it and hits the Angels Wings! 1…2…NO Hardy kicks out! Daniels goes for the Best Moonsault Ever but Hardy moves out of the way and Daniels lands on his feet. Daniels charges at Hardy but runs right into a back elbow and then Hardy springs off the top with the Whisper In The Wind! Daniels moves out of the way and immediately covers Hardy again, 1…2…NO Hardy still kicks out! Daniels goes for the Angels Wings again but Hardy counters into a Hurricanrana! Hardy hits the Twist of Fate sending Daniels crashing into Kazarian who had gotten up on the apron! Hardy hits a second Twist of Fate and then dropkicks Kazarian through the ropes and climbs up top! Hardy hits the Swanton Bomb! 1…2…3!

Winner & STILL World Champ: Hardy via pinfall (Swanton Bomb)

After the match Taz gets on the microphone and walks down to the ring. He asks Hardy what he’s going to do when Aces & Eights destroys everything and his World Title is gone and then one of the masked wrestlers runs out from behind and hits Hardy in the knee with a hammer! Taz says he was just about to tell Hardy to watch his back and then walks away as Hardy rolls around in pain grabbing his knee.

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FINAL THOUGHTS

Before I even touch tonight’s show, I have to get something off my chest. I’ve been following TNA (and been a fan of it) since the very first shows in Huntsville, AL and I have said that over and over I’m sure, but I’ve never been more frustrated about something they have done than I am right now. This fiasco with Jeff Hardy and the UK tour is a massive slap in the face to every single TNA fan over there that bought a ticket, especially those that bought tickets to see Hardy (and with the many Hardy fans I’m sure there are many). TNA has been advertising Jeff Hardy for that tour for months now and there is no question that they’ve known that entire time that Hardy was going to have a hard time getting into the country (due to the UK’s strict laws on people on probation in the U.S. entering the country), but decide the week before that they would “pull” him from the tour and worse than that they used an “injury” as the reason rather than just being up front about. Now the argument for them can be made that they had hopes they could get something done to get him into the country, but by November or December they had to realize it wasn’t going to happen. TNA owes every fan on that tour an apology and at the very least should have offered refunds at every show for anyone that wanted it. I’m sure some are going to think I’m being too harsh on this (while others will say I’m not being harsh enough) but I’ve been thinking about this since it was announced and I’ve grown angrier and angrier as I think about it.

Tonight was much better than last week and they started the show off with the way they needed to, Taz addressing what went down last week. He never gave a full reason as to why he turned on TNA but he made it clear that he is not the leader and that there are “powers” that are controlling everything. I like the idea of finally having a heel announcer again but Taz went overboard tonight and the constant bickering is going to get old quick if they continue with it. I like a heel announcer but they don’t have to bicker every single match.

Good match between Velvet & Tara but it really seems like Tara is kind of stuck in neutral right now because every single one of her matches ends the same way with interference from Jesse.

Good X-Division Tag Match and Zema/King actually made a fun tag team and the banter back and forth between them before the match was entertaining as well. RVD just seems to be overshadowing everybody else right now so him putting someone over (hopefully at Lockdown) is the only thing left for him to do now.

The Joseph Park thing really doesn’t do anything for me, though I do like the facial expressions he makes especially when in a match. I’m more interested in seeing where they will go with the whole Abyss thing.

Roode and Aries continue to be absolutely amazing together, the chemistry they have now is just awesome. I know I’m looking WAY ahead here but the thought of Aries/Roode (they need a name) vs. Bad Influence in a program together really sounds incredible. As long as they let the two teams just be themselves and don’t try to turn one babyface the promos and matches could be just simply awesome.

Bully Ray was able to make chicken salad about of chicken sh*t with his promo tonight as he was good in a crappy angle (so far).

The finally answered whether Anderson is Aces & Eights pretty soundly tonight thought I can’t say another Anderson/Angle match intrigues me very match. I like that Samoa Joe continues to not trust Brisco/Bischoff and it could lead to something down the line (I expect it to).

The video packages during the show did a nice job of hyping up Daniels/Hardy into making it feel big and special. They also delivered in the ring with an excellent match, that given more time could have been something really special. I really think Daniels could be an entertaining champion if given the chance and honestly with Hardy not being on TV for at least 4 weeks now with the UK tour (they’re doing 4 tapings over there) putting the belt on Daniels now even if it was just for the UK tour would have been the way to go in my opinion.

In related TNA news, King Mo makes his BELLATOR debut tonight and after this fight (win or lose) he should be diving headfirst into finishing up his TNA training soon (as the Semifinals of King Mo’s Tournament isn’t until later this year).

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